Newcastle 3 Bordeaux 0

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Newcastle United cruised to three Europa League points on Thursday night as they recorded a 3-0 home victory over Bordeaux.

A Shola Ameobi tap-in and an own goal from visiting defender Henrique gave the Magpies breathing space at half-time of the Group D fixture, before Papiss Cisse added a third soon after the restart to put the result beyond any doubt.

And it was no more than the hosts deserved for an impressive, attack-minded performance in which they were comfortable from start to finish.

Ameobi notched his 13th European goal - and probably the simplest of the lot - early on after brilliant work from winger Gabriel Obertan, before Henrique turned home Danny Simpson's cross with the break approaching.

The second half was just four minutes old when Cisse hooked in a delivery from Shane Ferguson and that knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, who had only briefly threatend through leading scorer Yoan Gouffran.

That made it four points from a possible six for Alan Pardew's side, following their goalless draw at Maritimo a fortnight ago.

Newcastle started brightly and within two minutes Yohan Cabaye had received the ball on the right and flashed a dipping drive narrowly wide of the far post.

Bordeaux hit back, however, and should have broken the deadlock soon after. A neat passing move found captain Jaroslav Plasil wide on the left but his delivery was tamely headed over the top by the unmarked Ludovic Obraniak six yards out.

Gouffran then nodded wide under pressure from Ferguson, while at the other end Cabaye curled a free-kick into the side netting as the opening exchanges continued to be played at a frantic pace.

And it was the Magpies who took the lead on 16 minutes as Ameobi finished off an outstanding team move.

Starting out on the right, Cabaye exchanged passes with Cisse before drilling a diagonal pass straight to the feet of Obertan on the other side of the pitch.

If the winger's first touch was outstanding, the run and cross that followed was equally eye-catching, leaving two Bordeaux players trailing in his wake before slotting across the face of goal for Ameobi to tap home.

The visitors' response was impressive as they were straight back on the front foot with a good spell of possession.

And on 28 minutes, only a fine defensive block by centre-back Mike Williamson kept out Gouffran, with the ball deflecting up and over the bar after Bordeaux's danger man had linked well with strike partner Jussie inside the area.

Elliot was called into action six minutes before half-time, diving full length to his left to parry clear a 30-yard Ludovic Sane effort which was heading for the back of the net, and the Magpies promptly went straight on the attack, doubling their advantage.

Simpson, back in the team after five games out with a hamstring injury, delivered from the right and Henrique got in a terrible mix-up with Cedric Carrasso, nipping ahead of his goalkeeper to slice the ball into his own net.

Carrasso redeemed himself with the break approaching, making a good stop to keep out Vurnon Anita, who had pulled the trigger from 12 yards as Newcastle had to settle for just the two at the interval.

Newacastle were forced into a change at half-time, with Elliot coming off to be replaced by Steve Harper, while Bordeaux made a double substitution, swapping for Plasil and Obraniak for Landry N'Guemo and Cheick Diabate.

But the visitors' changes made little difference as United continued where they had left off, scoring number three within four minutes of the restart.

Ferguson's left-wing crosses had created two goals in as many games for the Magpies, and that tally was inceased to three from three when Cisse swept home another inch-perfect delivery from the Northern Ireland international.

And the hosts weren't done there. Cabaye sent a long-range strike over the top, while Cisse suffered the same outcome with an ambitious 35-yard effort.

In the 73rd minute Harper kept United's clean sheet in tact, saving well with his legs to deny Bordeaux substitute - and former Sunderland man - David Bellion, who had broken the offside trap to race clear.

And that aside, Newcastle were very comfortable, seeing out the rest of the contest with good possession and able to rest the likes of Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote in the process, with Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester United in mind.